Way to go, Beloit

Saturday night ranks right up there as one of the most exciting nights of my life.

I had the opportunity to watch one of my close friends and “pageant sister” Sha-Nita Rhea, Miss Racine and a former Miss Beloit, take first runner up in the Miss Wisconsin Pageant.

Two years ago, I was the one who crowned her when she won the title of Miss Beloit 2007. I couldn’t believe I was watching that same girl Saturday night. Her months of hard work and preparation certainly paid off, and I could not be more proud of her. Although she wasn’t competing as Miss Beloit, she was still representing our community. We Beloiters should be proud.

And we have more to be proud of. Our own Miss Beloit Jessica Johnson may not have placed at the state pageant, but she did a wonderful job. A contestant is already a winner just for making it to the state level. Jessica represented our community with the utmost integrity and grace. That’s what is truly important.

Saturday night’s finals were emceed by a former Miss Beloit and Miss Wisconsin, Stephanie Klett. After the show, I heard many people say she’s the best emcee they had ever heard. And I have to agree. Stephanie was funny, charming and full of energy. She moved the show along and had everyone laughing. During the show, Stephanie performed a trumpet trio with two members of the Beloit Memorial High School jazz band: Rob Goodwin and Kevin LeBaron.

After the show, several people came up to the boys to tell them what a fantastic job they did. One man told them he’d been coming to the Miss Wisconsin Pageant for nine years, and theirs was the best performance he had heard at the pageant.

It’s no secret that Beloit is not always highly regarded by other people or communities. That is one thing I’ve always disliked and never understood. But you know what? We’re showing this state, nation, and world just how much Beloit has to offer. That was proof positive Saturday night.

It was proof this weekend with the ribbon cutting ceremonies for both the renovated Fairbanks Flats and the new Turtle Island II. And it was proof on Tuesday with the official opening of the new Kerry center and the announcement of the creation of the Hendricks Center at the old Beloit Public Library.

We’re truly a community on the move. All I have to say is: way to go Beloit!

Miss Wisconsin 1992 Stephanie Klett with Miss Beloit 2009 Jessica Johnson. Photo courtesy of Jon Wenger.

Former Miss Beloit and Miss Racine 2009 Sha-Nita Rhea smiles after taking the first runner up spot at Miss Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of Jon Wenger.

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